Introduction:
Succenturiate placenta exists as a morphological variation of placenta in which one or more accessory lobes of placenta known as succenturiate lobes are present. In order to be identified as a succenturiate placenta morphologically, the accessory lobe should be connected to the main lobe of the placenta by fetal blood vessels [1–3] Female above 35 years of age, diabetic mothers and the females who have adopted In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) have greater risk of developing succenturiate placenta.[1,3,4] These risk factors are linked with progressive vascular damage of placenta which could be the probable mechanism responsible for the abnormality of placenta [1]
Placental abnormality is a common cause of perinatal death. [1] Vasa previa which is the commonest complication associated with presence of succenturiate placenta has a fetal mortality rate of 33% to 100%[4] Such pregnancies are also often complicated with fetal hemorrhage as a result of placenta previa.[2,3] 2% of low-risk pregnancy require caesarian section after the onset of labor because of presence of succenturiate lobe of placenta.[1] Accessory lobe along with the connecting blood vessels can also be retained even after delivery causing post-partum hemorrhage and infection.[1,3–8]
Complications in pregnancy with succenturiate placenta are mostly manageable by obstetricians when the condition is known beforehand. It can be suspected by regular ultrasonography. The result can be useful to guide the obstetrician to stay alert till the expulsion of both lobes and hence prevent post-partum hemorrhage and infection. However, succenturiate placenta is a rare condition whose accurate detection by ultrasonography during antenatal examination is challenging. [1] Therefore it has mostly been detected and reported retrospectively. [5]